The best word I can use to describe The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez is "quirky." The characters, the town, the story -- all fit that description.If you are looking for a story that is somewhere off the beaten path, filled with out-of-the-ordinary characters, this just might be the one for you. There are some special friendships among the Paradise residents that drive the events, in spite of much past hurt and ongoing misunderstandings. Besides the assortment of human residents, there are talking snakes, the ghost of Elvis, and a not-so-quiet Venus who play important roles.
While the story had an intrigue all its own, I can't say it was one of my favorites. It was hard for me to to make a real connection with the characters, and the pace of the story was often slow and repetitive. There are a couple of twists, though, that add an element of surprise. One of the strengths of the story is the thread of forgiveness and redemption that shows somewhat throughout and especially toward the end of the book.
I would give The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5.
Thanks to the publisher through the I Read with Audra blog tour for providing a copy of the book. The thoughts in this review are my own.
About the Book:
Literary
Americana fiction filled with humor and heart
When
his wife, Angel, is killed in a head-on collision, Gomez Gomez feels he can't
go on--so he doesn't. He spends his days in the bushes next to the crash site
drinking Thunderbird wine, and his nights cradling a coffee can full of Angel's
ashes. Slow, sure suicide, with no one for company but the snakes, Elvis's
ghost, and a strange kid named Bones.
Across
town, Father Jake Morales plays it safe, haunted by memories of the woman he
left behind, hiding his guilt, loss, and love behind a thick wall of cassock
and ritual. Then a shady business deal threatens the town--and his good friend
Gomez Gomez--and Father Jake can't just stand by and watch. But what happens
when the rescuer is the one in need of saving?
The
Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez is quirky, heartfelt, and deeply human. Lives and hopes collide
in the town of Paradise, stretching across decades and continents in this epic
story of forgiveness, redemption, and love.
About the Author:
Buck Storm is a critically acclaimed author and musician whose stories have found friends aroundthe world. His nonfiction work includes Finding Jesus in Israel and Through the Holy Land on the
Road Less Traveled. Storm’s novels include The List, The Light, Truck Stop Jesus, and The Miracle
Man. The latest, The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez, launches his new series, Ballads of Paradise.
Storm and his wife, Michelle, make their home in North Idaho and have two married children.
Learn more about Buck Storm, as well as his writing and music, at buckstorm.com. He can
also be found on Facebook (@buckstormauthor), Twitter (@buckstormauthor), and
Instagram (@buckstorm).
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